My buddy (co-pilot) Steve

[Laura's Babies]

IBaker, Eddies wife's most often comment in the beginning was " I don't care what shape he is in, he is ALIVE and I can work with that!".

Eddies nurses use to tell us whenever we asked how he was doing, "He is doing GOOD!".. no matter how bad a day he had so one time we asked what that was all about... he had a bad day so just say so! One told us "Any day he didn't die IS a good day!" There was one of his nurses that told us he shouldn't have made it, that most that are burned that bad, don't. So I know it was the prayers and good thoughts from everyone that kept Eddie alive.

Keep singing and talking to Steve, tell him your PT friends are pulling and praying for him... If you give us a address, we can start sending cards to him at the hospital... That use to amaze Eddie (people he didn't know sending him cards) and believe me, it DID lift his spirits SO high!

[Corinna]

yes laurie we need to have an card avalance for Steve.

[gini]

Laurie, I agree with Laura's suggestion. Could we get the address at the hospital so we can start sending Steve some cards? When he becomes more aware it would be wonderful for him to see how many people were praying for him.

[lbaker]

Great news, he has just been moved to "Intermediate Care" which is "stepdown" from Surgical Intensive Care where he has been. He can now start receiving cards and I am allowed to bring in some music. The Intensive Care unit was so crowded with tubes and wires and stuff they asked us not to bring in anything and we could only stay a few minutes at a time. His folks will call me after talking to his Dr today. As for now, his address is
Steve Jackson
Washington Hospital Center
Unit I-H
110 Irving Street NW
Washington DC 20010-2975
maybe the hospital name should go first or it should say "for patient Steve Jackson" ???
No email system in place at the hospital. You guys are the greatest.
L

[Laura's Babies]

A card will be in the mail to him no later than tomorrow from here!! I am even going to ask Regina to send one if she will (and I am sure she would!). I may even print out some pictures to send since Eddie got a real kick out of pictures one lady kept sending.

STEP DOWN! YAAAAAAAA! That is the most thrilling news ever since Eddie was sent to step down, them HOME! I am Happy Dancing with all of you there!! WAY TO GO STEVE!!!

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Wow, even better news!!!

They normally don't allow much in intensive care, but now that he's leaving there, I'm sure his room will be filled with flowers, cards, and lots and lots of people who love him.

[lbaker]

I just spoke with Bill & JoAnn, his folks. They were there this afternoon and Bill said he looked much better. His main care nurse isn't exactly Nurse Kratchet but according to Bill she comes close Although Steve's eyes still aren't really focusing, when Bill said "Steffie says hello" [Steffie is Steve's dog, one of my Badger dog's daughter's] Steve's eyes actually focused and stared at him. Oh my. K and Jenny and I will be by tomorrow just after noon hour. I am printing these thoughts and prayers from you all out and will read them to him. If my son Kenneth allows me, I may even sing him something Travis [eldest grandson] is busy putting the CD thing together. I may sleep well tonight. If only I hear Delta is home that would make this the best day in years. Thanks doesn't even start to explain how I feel.
Deb, I'm sorry to say he really doesn't have "lots and lots" of friends to visit him. He is rather reclusive and my family and his folks are pretty much it.

[Cataholic]

Eddies nurses use to tell us whenever we asked how he was doing, "He is doing GOOD!".. no matter how bad a day he had so one time we asked what that was all about... he had a bad day so just say so! One told us "Any day he didn't die IS a good day!" There was one of his nurses that told us he shouldn't have made it, that most that are burned that bad, don't.

That is so insightful! It makes sense, really, when you consider that they see the most needy of patients in the ICU. Reminds me of the early days with Samantha, my neice. {shudders}

Step down is such a cool, cool event. One step closer to home.

[ramanth]

I'm so happy to hear Steve has been moved out of Intensive Care. I'm still thinking of him! *hugs*

[lbaker]

We went to see him again yesterday and his eyes opened and seemed able to focus, a little. His jaw is wired shut but he seemed to at least know we were there. He can't really follow directions "blink if you hear me" but definately seems heading for a slow but positive prognosis. Lots and lots of physical therapy and time, especially time - but so what? I will tell him you are thinking of him. Thanks dear friends.
Laurie

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Great! Another positive report. Laurie, one thing you all need to remember is the ups and downs that are involved. There are going to be good days, there are going to be fantastic days, there are going to be bad days and there are going to be horrible days. The only way you can survive the bad and horrible days is to remember the good and fantastic days, and know that more are ahead.

Oh, and Laurie, you're wrong about him not having lots and lots of friends. Even though we here at PT can't be physically in the room with him, we are all here in spirit for him, his family and you. {{{hugs}}}

[slick]

Oh, and Laurie, you're wrong about him not having lots and lots of friends. Even though we here at PT can't be physically in the room with him, we are all here in spirit for him, his family and you. {{{hugs}}}

Absolutely Debbie and I hope you will relay this back to Steve, Laurie. Please let him know that many, many people around the world are praying for him.

So glad to hear about the improvement. It will be a long hard struggle but I believe that with time, love and hard work he can get back to where he was before the accident.

[Laura's Babies]

His card is in the mail with pictures of my babies (hopefully will make him smile when he can see them) and I mentioned to Regina about him and asked if she would send a card too and I think she is.

(Take a shoe box or box about that size to put his cards in for him. We use to put the cards on the table, window sill or around and as newer ones came in, we put the older one in the shoe box so he could someday go through them.)

How is he doing now? More alert and aware?